Megan Hicks on Ultra Evolution, Media Integrity, and Keeping the Sport Fun
In this episode of The Buzz, Buzz Burrell and friend Hilary Allen sit down with Megan Hicks—ultrarunner, editor-in-chief of iRunFar, and president of the Hardrock 100 board, to unpack how trail and ultrarunning are changing. They dive into the sport’s major growth spurts, the shifting role of media and brands, why the obsession with 100 miles might be overrated, and how trail running’s anti-commercial roots clash and coexist with its rising popularity. Megan shares why independent journalism at iRunFar still matters, how the team has adapted from live tweeting to the modern media landscape, and what keeps her excited as a runner. She also talks fueling, super shoes, and her upcoming return to the 100-mile distance at Scout Mountain. Big thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting this conversation and helping us bring these important stories to life. This treadmill is the closest you can get to running trail indoors! If you’re curious about where trail running has been, and where it’s headed, this episode is a must-listen.
--------
42:10
--------
42:10
David Roche on Joy, Mortality, and the Science of Going All In
David Roche might be known as the apostle of carbs, but there’s much more to him than mid-race fueling math. In this conversation with Buzz Burrell, David opens up about the deeper forces that shape his running, coaching, and outlook on life. From nearly dying in a bike accident to experiencing depression and ultimately a powerful shift in perspective, David shares how mortality, vulnerability, and joy have become his most important performance tools. He talks candidly about the power of radical empathy—why he responds with love even to internet trolls—and how that mindset connects to his approach to coaching and competition. Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best-ever treadmill for trail runners. They also get into the science of what’s working right now in endurance sports: high-carb fueling, extreme hydration strategies, and heat training. David breaks down how the peloton revolutionized fueling practices, why hydration needs are more individual than most athletes realize, and what he's doing to push the envelope at Western States. He explains how these marginal gains stack up, why they matter (and why they sometimes don’t), and why transparency—not secrecy—is the path forward for the sport.
--------
1:04:42
--------
1:04:42
Riley Brady Is on Fire: Big Wins, Heat Training, and a Shot at Western States
Riley Brady is having one hell of a season. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with one of the hottest names in ultrarunning just weeks before they line up at Western States. Fresh off course record wins at the Black Canyon 100K and Quad Rock 50 Mile—not to mention a scorching-fast victory at the Javelina 100—Riley shares what’s working, what they’ve learned, and how they’re keeping the momentum rolling into one of the most prestigious races in the sport. From dialing in nutrition to choosing VaporFlys for the trails, Riley breaks down the decisions and strategies that make the difference. We get into heat training (hello, 200-degree sauna), fueling mishaps and fixes, and why shoe weight might matter more than grip when it comes to speed. Thanks to Wahoo for supporting The Buzz! Check out the best ever treadmill for trail runners. Topics include: How Riley stopped puking mid-race (mostly) The hydration-first fueling strategy that changed everything Why VaporFlys aren’t just for road runners Passive vs. active heat training—and why Riley thrives in the sauna Inclusivity in ultrarunning The decade-long path from college trail runs to elite podiums Whether you're deep in your own build or just love hearing what makes top athletes tick, this episode is full of insight, candor, and real talk from one of ultrarunning’s rising stars. 🎧 Subscribe to The Buzz for grounded takes and great conversations with the people shaping the future of trail running.
--------
40:13
--------
40:13
John Kelly on Barkley, Balance, and the Appalachian Trail FKT
What does it take to finish the Barkley Marathons—not once, but three times? And what kind of person dreams of spending 40 straight days trying to break the Appalachian Trail FKT? This week on The Buzz, Buzz Burrell sits down with ultrarunner, data scientist, and father of four John Kelly. Known for his legendary Barkley finishes, the self-invented "Grand Round" in the UK, and a marathon PR under 2:30, John blends scientific rigor with deep grit. He’s not just a top-tier athlete—he’s a methodical thinker applying systems-level thinking to some of the hardest challenges in endurance sport. They discuss: • What went wrong (and right) at Barkley 2025 • Why failing early on matters—and how to keep showing up • His nuanced take on Jasmine Paris’ historic Barkley finish • The logistics, strategy, and mindset behind his upcoming Appalachian Trail FKT attempt • Why training on a treadmill isn’t a dealbreaker for mountain dreams • The case for “flexible consistency”—and why the best support crews are full-on teams. If you’re curious how someone balances family, big goals, and brutal sleep deprivation while still pushing the sport forward, this one’s for you. 📍Links: • John’s blog: randomforestrunner.com • Start tracking John’s Appalachian Trail FKT on May 25th Thanks to Wahoo Kickr for supporting The Buzz!
--------
44:59
--------
44:59
Brian Metzler on Trail Running’s Media Evolution
🎉 Shoutout to our sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Dirtbag Bar—real fuel made with real food. No mystery syrups, no gut bombs, just tasty, trail-tested ingredients. Get 20% off with code ULTRADIRTBAG20 at checkout. Trail and ultrarunning have never had more reach and attention. In this episode of The Buzz, host Buzz Burrell sits down with Brian Metzler, founding editor of Trail Runner Magazine, longtime gear tester, and one of the most prolific journalists in the sport. Together, they trace the rise and fall of endurance media, from the golden era of print to the digital Wild West. Brian reflects on his recent layoff from Outside Run, what makes storytelling in trail running so vital, and how social media has disrupted—and occasionally deepened—our sense of community. Along the way, Buzz and Brian tackle everything from super shoes to calorie myths to doping in ultras, before closing with a rapid-fire round of hot takes and trail weirdness. Then, journalist and co-host of The Trailhead podcast Zoë Rom joins Buzz for a debrief on the future of running media. Drawing on her own experience as the final editor-in-chief of Trail Runner Magazine, Zoë offers her take on the rise of personality-driven content, the commodification of attention, and why we all have to vote with our attention—and our clicks—if we want to keep real storytelling alive.
Trail and ultrarunning are evolving fast—so how do you keep up? Enter The Buzz, a podcast that cuts through the noise with grounded takes from a true expert in the sport. As a pioneering ultrarunner, FKT legend, and industry veteran, Buzz brings decades of experience and a sharp, critical eye to the big ideas shaping endurance sports. Each episode dives into the culture, philosophy, and future of trail running with the thinkers, historians, and innovators who define it—not just the athletes, but the voices behind the sport’s biggest shifts. If you’re here for more than just race results and training tips, The Buzz delivers the conversations that matter.
México